Eye protector



Oct. 17, 1933.

S. M. GRISWOLD EYE PROTECTOR Filed Feb. 10, 1933 Patented Oct. 17, 1933EYE rno'mc'ron smile M. Griswold, Mass. Application February 10, 1933.Serial No. 856,115

8 Claims.

The use of ultra violet light rays for treating various human ailmentshas been adopted and approved in general by the medical profession. Suchrays affect the skin in such a way as to give it the appearance ofhaving been sunburned. This action has been taken advantage of in recentyears by many people to improve their personal appearance. It has becomea common practice with many people who have become pale because of arun-down condition or lack of exposure to sunlight or for other reasons,to subject their face periodically to the action of ultra violet rays toburn or tan the same and impart thereto a healthier appearance. Thispractice has become extremely popular in recent years because of thedevelopment of low cost ultra violet ray lamps.

When subjecting the face to the action of ultra violet rays it isnecessary to provide adequate protection for the eyes. Goggles arecommonly used for this purpose. However, goggles exclude the action ofthe rays from a portion of the nose and a large area surrounding andadjacent the eyes. Consequently, if ones face is subjected to the actionof ultra violet rays while the eyes are protected by goggles ,,-a burnor tan will be obtained which will have an artificial appearance becauseof the presence of the unburned areas which have been covered by thegoggles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which willprotect the eyes while the face is being subjected to the action ofultra violet rays but which will permit full action of the rays upon theother parts of the face.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawing: in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view showing the device in position upon the head;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken upon the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are front and rear elevational views respectively of theeye protector.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intendedto limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of theprior art.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a frame 10 of finebut stiif wire or .similar material having side portions 11 and frontportions 12 extending inwardly therefrom.

The frame is preferably formed of material, such as wire, which willprovide a self-sustaining or substantially rigid frame as distinguishedfrom limp or non-self-sustaining material, such as elastic or cord.Moreover, the use of a fine wire not only provides a suitable supportfor the eye cups hereinafter described, but allows all portions of theface to be subjected to the action of the light rays. In order tostiffen the frame,the front portions 12 may be joined, if desired, by anintermediate portion 15 of substantially U-shape. The U-shape portion 15is preferably so formed that it is spaced from the sides-and frontalportion of the nose, wherebynot to contact therewith. The frame 10 iscarried by a band 16, the ends of which are suitably secured to the rearends of the side portions 11 of the frame. The side portions 11 of theframe may be connected to the band 16 for support by the band in anysuitable manner. As illustrated in the drawing, the side portions extendthrough sockets formed by bending the ends of the band and, as will beunderstood, in this manner the frame 10 is supported entirely by theband so that its sides 11 and forward portions 12, 15 may be maintainedin position while out of contact with the face and without applyingpressure to the eyes through the eye cups hereinafter described.Preferably, the band 16 is adjustable and, as illustrated, is formed oftwo pieces of sheet metal 17 and 18, the free ends of which overlap andslidably engage. To the free end of each of the pieces 17 and 18 a clip19 is secured which embraces and slidably and frictionally engages theother piece. An adjustable band 20 of elastic or similar material isprovided at its ends with a loop 21 surrounding the band 16. A strap 28connects intermediate points of the bands 16 and 20.

Eye protectors 22 are adjustably mounted upon the front portions 12 ofthe frame 10 to extend rearwardly therefrom so that they may be properlypositioned over the eyes of any person using the device. Each eyeprotector 22 is made of a soft pliable material, such as rubber, and isshaped in the form of a cup, the edge of which is curved to engage theeye lids when closed. Preferably, the main portion of the bottom wall ofthe cup is thicker near its edge than the top wall and the cornerportions of the bottom wall and the thickness'of the top wall and saidcorner portions gradually increase from their edges towards the front ofthe eye protector. The edges of the top and bottom walls are so shapedthat when the protector is positioned upon the eye and viewed inelevation, the edge of the top wall will appear curved while the edge ofthe bottom wall will be substantially horizontal or parallel to theupper edge of the bottom eye lid and barely overlap the same when thelids are closed. When constructed in this manner, the eye protectoradapts itself to fit over eyes of various sizes and shapes. A socket 23is formed in the forward portion of each eye protector to receive a ball24 upon one end of an attaching member 25, the other end of which isprovided with a hook 26 slidably embracing one of the front portions 12of the frame. Preferably, the front portions 12 are rectangular in crosssection so as to prevent rotation of the eye protectors about the same.The rear face 30 of each eye protector is generally concave with itsedge adapted to rest upon the eyeball when the eyelids are closed.

When the face is to be exposed to ultra violet light rays, generated asby a lamp 31 as shown in Fig. 2, the band 16 is fitted upon the headand, preferably, is adjusted so that the rear ends of the side portions11 of the frame 10 are positioned approximately in a plane through radiiof the eye balls passing through the centers of the pupils. The eyeprotectors 22 are adjusted along the front portions 12 of the frame andare turned, if necessary, about the balls 24 so that the rear faces 30rest comfortably upon the eyeballs when the lids are closed. The balland socket mounting for the protectors 22 not only permits universalmovement of the cups, whereby the same may accommodate themselves to theindividual user, but also, because of the pliability of the materialfrom which the eye cups are formed, the latter may be freely removed forsterilization or replacement. The band 20 and strap 28 are positionedaround the head so as to hold the frame 10 and eye protectors 22 in theabove described positions. In asmuch as the frame 10 is fine and spacedfrom the face, the full action of rays may be obtained upon all parts ofthe face by moving or nodding the head slightly while the face is beingexposed to the rays. The eye protectors 22 are so designed and shaped asto exclude the rays only from those portions of the eyelids which arenot prominently visible when the eyes are open. The band 16 togetherwith the straps 20 and 28 support the frame 10 in its operative positionwithout engagement with any part of the face, the eye protectors engagethe eyelids merely to prevent access of the light rays to the eyes. Itwill be understood that the frame 10 is supported entirely from the band17 and is entirely out of contact with the face. This constructionpermits the eye cups to be supported for universal movement upon theballs 24 since no supporting strain is transmitted to the eye cups. Thisis particularly important in the use of eye cups of the characterdescribed since these cups conform closely to the curvature of the eyeand do not engage the entire eye socket as is customary in many types ofgoggles. A relatively large eye socket enclosing cup may be readily usedfor supporting a goggle, but eye protecting cups of the characterdescribed, which closely follow the upper edge of the lower eyelid andthe curvature of the upper eyelid, I have found should not be utilizedas a supporting medium because the resulting pressure is harmful to theeye and tends to urge the lower edge of the cup between the eyelids ontothe eye ball itself. By supporting the cups and the frame 10 entirelyfrom the band 17, pressure on the eye through the eye cups is avoidedand the eye cups are merely positioned in front of the eyes while theball and socket support therefor as well as the lateral adjustability ofthe members 25 permit the cups to move freely in any plane whereby toaccommodate themselves to the varying ocular dimensions of differentusers.

I claim:

1. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswithout causing face marking when the face is subjected to ultravioletlight rays comprising a substantially rigid frame having side portionsadapted to extend forwardly from points adjacent opposite sides of thehead along and spaced from the sides of 'the face and front portionsextendinginwardly from the forward end of the side portions across theeyes and spaced therefrom and out of engagement with the front of theface, eye protectors carried by said front portions of the frame andextending therefrom toward the eyes, said eye protectors comprising cupsof relatively soft opaque material having edge portions shaped to followclosely the juncture of the lower and upper eyelids and the contour ofthe upper eyelid, and means adapted to engage the head and support saidframe side pieces and the eye cups entirely from the rearward portionsof said frame at the sides of the head whereby to relieve the eyes ofpressure.

2. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswithout causing face marking when the face is subjected to ultravioletlight rays comprising a substantially rigid frame having side portionsadapted to extend forwardly from points adjacent opposite sides of thehead along and spaced from the sides of the face and front portionsextending inwardly from the forward end of the side portions across theeyes and spaced therefrom and out of engagement with the front of theface, said front portions having a connecting portion adapted to bridgethe nose out of contact therewith, eye protectors carried by said frontportions of the frame and extending therefrom toward the eyes, said eyeprotectors comprising cups of relatively soft opaque material havingedge portions shaped to follow closely the juncture of the lower andupper eyelids and the contour of the upper eyelid, and means adapted toengage the head and support said frame side pieces and the eye cupsentirely from the rearward portion of said frame at the sides of thehead whereby to relieve the eyes of pressure.

3. In a device of the character described, a supporting frame, eye cupson said frame formed of pliable material and each comprising a loweredge shaped to closely follow the line of juncture of the lower andupper lids and to conform closely to the contour of the upper eyelid,and means for mounting said eye cups detachably and adjustably on saidframe comprising ball and socket members on the cups and framerespectively.

4. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswhen the face is subjected to ultra-violet light rays comprising asubstantially rigid frame having side portions adapted to extendforwardly from points adjacent opposite sides of the head along andspaced from the sides of the face and a front portion extending inwardlyfrom the forward end of each of the side portions and spaced from andout of engagement with the front of the face, a member adjustablycarried by each of the front portions of the frame, an eye protectorshaped to fit closely against the eyelids carried by each of saidmembers, and means to support said frame side portions on the head attheir rearward portions.

5. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswhen the face is subjected to ultra-violet light rays comprising asubstantially rigid frame having side portions adapted to extendforwardly from points adjacent opposite sides of the head along andspaced from the sides of the face and a front portion extending inwardlyfrom the forward end of each of the side portions and spaced from andout of engagement with the front of the face, a member adjustablycarried by each of the front portions of the frame, an eye protectoradjustably carried by each of said members, and means to support saidframe side portions on the head at their rearward portions.

6. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswhen the face is subjected to ultra-violet light rays comprising asubstantially rigid frame having side portions adapted to extendforwardly from points adjacent opposite sides of the head along andspaced from the sides of the face and a front portion extending betweenthe forward ends of the side portions across the front of the face andout of engagement therewith, eye protectors carried by said frontportion of the frame and extending to engage the eyes, and means tosupport said frame side portions on the head at their rearward portions.

7. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswhen the face is subjected to ultra-violet light rays comprising asubstantially rigid frame having side portions adapted to extendforwardly from points adjacent opposite sides of the head along andspaced from the sides of the face and front portions extending inwardlyfrom the forward end of the side portions and spaced from and out ofengagement withrthe front of the face, eye protectors carried by saidfront portions of the frame and extending therefrom, each of said eyeprotectors being arranged and shaped to engage the upper eyelid whenclosed and having its bottom'edge shaped to conform substantially to thecurvature of the upper edge of the bottom eyelid, and means to supportsaid frame side portions on the head at their rearward portions.

8. A device adapted to be supported upon ones head to protect the eyeswhen the face is subjected to ultra-violet light rays comprising asubstantially rigid frame having side portions adapted to extendforwardly from points adja cent opposite sides of the head along andspaced from the sides of the face and a front portion extending inwardlybetween the forward ends of the side portions across the frontof theface and out of engagement therewith, a pair of members adjustablycarried by said front portion of the frame, an eye protector adjustablycarried by each of said members and extending therefrom toward the eyes,each of said eye protectors being arranged and shaped to engage theupper eyelid when closed and having its bottom edge shaped to conformsubstantially to the curvature of the upper edge of the bottom eyelid,and means to support said frame side portions on the head at theirrearward portions.

STANLEY M. GRISWOLD.

